Chrysanthemum plant named `Kiskadee`

ABSTRACT

A new plant variety of chrysanthemum producing yellow daisy-type flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct variety ofChrysanthemum morifolium. The varietal denomination of the newchrysanthemum is `Kiskadee`.

The female parent of the new variety is the variety known as `Vera` andthe male parent is an undistributed variety identified as G63-C7. Thenew variety has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings inVentura County, Calif. and the distinguishing characteristics areretained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

`Kiskadee` produces yellow daisy-type flowers of different colorationthen its parents on a green mounding plant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENT

Parent variety `Vera` has ray florets of different color and smallerflowers than the new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph shows a typical specimen of the plant andflowers of the new variety with colors being as nearly true as possiblewith illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description of the new variety is of specimens grown in agreenhouse in Ventura County, Calif. in the month of July. `Kiskadee`has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in the environment such astemperature, light intensity, day length and cultural conditions. Thecolor designations herein are from The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart except where general terms are used.

To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once about tendays after planting. It has been observed that of the life of individualblooms of `Kiskadee` is about 25 days and the response time is about 6.5weeks. No growth retardant was used on plants described. Useful growingconditions include night temperatures of about 62°-68° F. and daytemperatures of about 65°-70° F. at about 5000 foot candles light. Thenatural season response in Ventura County, Calif. is early September,depending upon climate and plant conditions.

Plant: Herbaceous perennial garden plant.

Habit.--Mounding.

Height.--About 23 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch.--About 3.

Length of lateral branches.--About 17 cm.

Stem color.--Near 138A.

Stem surface.--Lightly pubescent.

Foliage:

Leaf arrangement.--Alternate.

Number of leaves per lateral branch.--About 15 fully expanded leaves.

Leaf size.--Length: About 5.4 cm. Width: About 3.3 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Attachment.--Petioled.

Leaf apex.--Obtuse.

Base.--Tapered.

Margin.--Palmately lobed, few serrations.

Aspect.--Slightly undulate.

Surface.--Top: slightly pubescent. Bottom. slightly pubescent.

Venation color.--Upper surface: Near 137D. Under surface: Near 137C.

Petiole.--Length: About 1 cm. Color: Near 137D.

Color.--Mature leaf: Top: Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137C. Young leaf: Top:Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137D.

Flower:

Inflorescence form.--Cyme.

Bloom type.--Daisy.

Number of blooms per branch.--About 9.

Diameter of fully expanded bloom.--About 5 cm.

Depth of fully expanded bloom.--About 1.5 cm.

Sepal number.--About 18 . Color: Near 137B.

Peduncle.--Length: Penduncle length is shortest at the terminal flowerand progressively longer moving down the stem, the longest pedunclelength is on average about 6 cm, the shortest peduncle length is onaverage about 3.3 cm. Aspect: Straight. Surface: Pubescent. Color: Near138A. Disc diameter: About 2 cm.

Flower Bud (when just showing color).--Color: Near 13C. Diameter: Near0.9 cm. Height: About 1 cm.

Ray florets.--Number per flower: About 36. Texture: Matte. Shape:Oblanceolate. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Slightly undulate.Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 0.7 cm.

Disc florets.--Number per flower: About 125. Texture: Shiny. Shape:Cylindric. Length: About 0.5 cm.

Fragrance.--Faint, musky.

Flower color:

General flower description.--Bright yellow daisy with a yellow/orangecenter.

Ray florets, top side.--Immature: Near 13B. Mature: Near 14B. Fading:Near 14C.

Ray florets, under side.--Immature: Near 7B. Mature: Near 7A. Fading:Near 7D.

Disc florets.--Immature: Near 151C. Mature: Near 14B. Fading: Near 15B.

Changes as the flower ages.--Ray florets become more loosely held.Considerable pollen is released by the disc florets.

Reproductive organs:

Ray florets.--Pistillate. Stigma shape: 2 branched. Stigma color: Near7A. Style length: About 0.4 cm. Style color: Near 154D.

Disc florets.--Stigma shape: 2 branched. Stigma color: Near 17B. StyleLength: About 0.6 cm. Style color: Near 4D. Stamen number: About 5.Anther length: About 0.4 cm. Pollen color: Near 14A. Pollen quantity:Abundant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct chrysanthemum plant of thevariety substantially as herein shown and described.